Joyce Bawa Mogtari, former President John Dramani Mahama’s Special Aide, has hit back at critics of her boss’s comments on the Supreme Court’s decision to allow Deputy Speakers to vote in the House while they preside.
Some government officials, like Gabby Otchere Darko, have chastised Mr. Mahama for portraying the ruling as one that would plunge the country into farce.
In response, Joyce Bawa Mogtari stated that the Supreme Court is not immune to criticism and that Ghanaians have the freedom to express their opinions on the apex court’s decisions.
“The core of every democracy is freedom of speech first and foremost,” she said in a statement. To claim that no one should criticize a public institution is ludicrous in and of itself.
We should cease perpetuating myths about these judges; the majority of them were formerly students and had colleagues at the Bar before becoming judges. In a democratic system, they are tasked with defending and protecting our rights.”
On Gabby Otchere Darko, she stated that he (Gabby) cannot be compared to Mr. Mahama, who has extensive practical experience and knowledge of the law, as well as parliamentary and administration expertise, among other things.
Mr. Mahama, she continued, can only be humiliated in this way by people who are immersed in arrogance, plain disdain, and autocratic behavior.
Read her full statement below
And who says one must have a knowledge of the law to proffer an opinion, share a view or criticize rulings of the Supreme Court.
Some students of the law and even lawyers lack basic understanding of the Law; the fact that they are lawyers notwithstanding. The SC is not above criticism or scrutiny.
The bedrock of every democracy is freedom of speech first and foremost. To say nobody should criticize an institution created for the people, is within itself absurd.
We should stop making a myth about these Judges; most of them were students at some point, had colleagues at the Bar before becoming judges. They are mandated to defend and protect our rights in a democratic dispensation.
In any case, who is Gabby, in comparison to President John Dramani Mahama? Did Mr. Mahama not support his disagreement with the SC with more cogent, intelligent and practical constitutional arguments than President Akufo-Addo did in his poorly arranged no-question interview?
John Mahama’s understanding of the law, parliamentary and governance experience, practical use of the law etc cannot be disrespected in any way, unless by persons steeped in arrogance, outright disrespect and despotic behaviour.
Source: GhanaWish.com
